CONVERGENT SHELL MORPHOLOGY IN INTERTIDAL GASTROPODS

The functional morphology of shell infrastructure in 2 speciesof intertidal trochid was compared with that in 2 species ofnerite. The shell of Monodonta constrictais typical of the majorityof trochids. The shell is composed of 4 layers: a distal layer(calcite), anouter prismatic layer (aragonite), a nacreous layer(aragonite), and an oblique prismatic layer (aragonite). Monodontalabio lacks a distal layer and an oblique prismatic layer. Theoblique prismatic layer is replaced by an inner prismatic layerwhich forms an apertural ridge as a result of deposition andresorption. The shells of Nerita versicolor and N. tessellataconsistof 3 layers: an outer prismatic layer (calcite), a crossedlamellar layer (aragonite), and a complex crossed lamellar layer(aragonite). The complex crossed lamellar layer is covered withinclined platelets which superficially resemble the surfaceof the ique prismatic layer of trochids. In addition, the complexcrossed lamellar layer forms an apertural ridge which is similarin appearance to that of Monodonta labio. The outer surfaceof the mantle of Nerita versicolor and N. tessellata is throwninto a series of large folds which lie in contact with the inclinedplatelets of the omplex crossed lamellar layer. The interactionof the mantle folds with the inclined platelets is thought toserve as a rachet mechanism to aid in extension of themantle;a similar function has previously been proposed for trochids.The apertural ridges of Monodonta labio and Nerita are thoughtto prevent excessive desiccation when these gastropodsare exposedat low tide. ¹Contribution No. 56 of the Tallahassee, Sopchoppy & GulfCoast Marine Biological Association (Received 6 July 1979;     

In vivo reinsertion of excised episomes by the V(D)J recombinase: a potential threat to genomic stability

It has long been thought that signal joints, the byproducts of V(D)J recombination, are not involved in the dynamics of the rearrangement process. Evidence has now started to accumulate that this is not the case, and that signal joints play unsuspected roles in events that might compromise genomic integrity. Here we show both ex vivo and in vivo that the episomal circles excised during the normal process of receptor gene rearrangement may be reintegrated into the genome through trans-V(D)J recombination occurring between the episomal signal joint and an immunoglobulin/T-cell receptor target. We further demonstrate that cryptic recombination sites involved in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia-associated chromosomal translocations constitute hotspots of insertion. Eventually, the identification of two in vivo cases associating episomal reintegration and chromosomal translocation suggests that reintegration events are linked to genomic instability. Altogether, our data suggest that V(D)J-mediated reintegration of episomal circles, an event likely eluding classical cytogenetic screenings, might represent an additional potent source of genomic instability and lymphoid cancer.     

Expression stability of commonly used reference genes in canine articular connective tissues

Background

Pain of mild to moderate grade is difficult to detect in laboratory mice because mice are prey animals that attempt to elude predators or man by hiding signs of weakness, injury or pain. In this study, we investigated the use of telemetry to identify indicators of mild-to-moderate post-laparotomy pain.

Results

Adult mice were subjected to laparotomy, either combined with pain treatment (carprofen or flunixin, 5 mg/kg s/c bid, for 1 day) or without pain relief. Controls received anesthesia and analgesics or vehicle only. Telemetrically measured locomotor activity was undisturbed in all animals, thus confirming that any pain experienced was of the intended mild level. No symptoms of pain were registered in any of the groups by scoring the animals' outer appearance or spontaneous and provoked behavior. In contrast, the group receiving no analgesic treatment after laparotomy demonstrated significant changes in telemetry electrocardiogram recordings: increased heart rate and decreased heart rate variability parameters pointed to sympathetic activation and pain lasting for 24 hours. In addition, core body temperature was elevated. Body weight and food intake were reduced for 3 and 2 days, respectively. Moreover, unstructured cage territory and destroyed nests appeared for 1–2 days in an increased number of animals in this group only. In controls these parameters were not affected.

Conclusion

In conclusion, real-time telemetric recordings of heart rate and heart rate variability were indicative of mild-to-moderate post-laparotomy pain and could define its duration in our mouse model. This level of pain cannot easily be detected by direct observation.     

Amphioxus: how to become a vertebrate

Evo-devo is a young disciplin, which aims to explain the morphological evolution of organisms through developmental mechanisms and genes networks. A major question within this discipline is the origin of vertebrates. It seems now admitted that vertebrates derive from an invertebrate chordate ancestor. Several models among living chordate representatives are used today to answer this question. The small world of evo-evo interested in the emergence of vertebrates is ebullient about the advent of several totally sequenced genomes allowing comparative analyses to become evermore reliable. Furthermore "non classical" models are developed which can be submitted to refined developmental analysis. One of these is amphioxus (genus Branchyostoma), "a peaceful anchory fillet to illuminate chordate evolution" (Garcia-Fernandez, 2006a, b). The features of this model are described in this review.     

Effect of cheese consumption on emergence of antimicrobial resistance in the intestinal microflora induced by a short course of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid

AIM: To study in a sequential prospective trial, the effect of cheese consumption on the emergence of Escherichia coli and enterococci resistance to amoxicillin after amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (amoxiclav) treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study comprised two phases separated by 1 year. Each phase lasted 75 days for each volunteer (from day -13 to day 61). During the first phase, 18 healthy volunteers were given a 1-g dose of amoxiclav orally twice a day for 5 days (from day 0 to day 4). The design of phase 2 was identical to that of phase 1, except that the volunteers consumed 100 g of hard-cooked cheese from day -6 to day 19. Faecal samples were collected 20 times throughout the trial and were quantitatively assayed for total and amoxicillin-resistant (Amox(R)) E. coli and enterococci. The consumption of experimental cheese was associated with a decrease of Amox(R) enterococci during the post-antibiotic period, with the maximum level of Amox(R) enterococci falling from 6.2% to 0.03%. This effect was not observed for E. coli, and the type of cheese (raw milk vs pasteurized milk) did not influence the results. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of cheese during amoxiclav treatment reduces the emergence of Amox(R) enterococci in faeces. SIGNIFICANCE AND CLINICAL IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our clinical pilot trial suggests that there are likely to be benefits from consuming probiotic-containing cheese during antibiotic treatment.     

A bacterial population study of commercialized wastewater inoculants

AIMS: To assess the bacterial diversity and safety of wastewater inoculants, which are commercially available products used to improve the aerobic digestion processes of the domestic waste compost in the septic tank. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen wastewater inoculants were analysed on nonselective and selective media and the cultivable bacteria were identified. In all wastewater inoculants, the number of CFUs were between 10(4) and 10(7) g(-1) powder on nonselective media and Bacillus was the predominant cultivable genus. Culture-independent molecular methods such as sequencing of 16S rRNA clone libraries and denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis demonstrated the high prevalence of interfering chloroplast 16S rRNA from plant material and the presence of Bacillus spp. Only after selective enrichments and cultivation, the presence of one pathogenic strain (Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae) and one opportunistic strain of (Enterobacter cloacae) bacteria were detected in six different products. CONCLUSION: The predominant cultivable species of the wastewater inoculants were Bacillus spp. and after enrichment six products were found to contain opportunistic or pathogenic strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The presence of opportunistic pathogenic strains in the inoculants might represent a risk for immunocompromised, the elderly or children. A clear labelling should therefore be displayed on the product.     

A Bio-inspired Collision Avoidance Model Based on Spatial Information Derived from Motion Detectors Leads to Common Routes

Avoiding collisions is one of the most basic needs of any mobile agent, both biological and technical, when searching around or aiming toward a goal. We propose a model of collision avoidance inspired by behavioral experiments on insects and by properties of optic flow on a spherical eye experienced during translation, and test the interaction of this model with goal-driven behavior. Insects, such as flies and bees, actively separate the rotational and translational optic flow components via behavior, i.e. by employing a saccadic strategy of flight and gaze control. Optic flow experienced during translation, i.e. during intersaccadic phases, contains information on the depth-structure of the environment, but this information is entangled with that on self-motion. Here, we propose a simple model to extract the depth structure from translational optic flow by using local properties of a spherical eye. On this basis, a motion direction of the agent is computed that ensures collision avoidance. Flying insects are thought to measure optic flow by correlation-type elementary motion detectors. Their responses depend, in addition to velocity, on the texture and contrast of objects and, thus, do not measure the velocity of objects veridically. Therefore, we initially used geometrically determined optic flow as input to a collision avoidance algorithm to show that depth information inferred from optic flow is sufficient to account for collision avoidance under closed-loop conditions. Then, the collision avoidance algorithm was tested with bio-inspired correlation-type elementary motion detectors in its input. Even then, the algorithm led successfully to collision avoidance and, in addition, replicated the characteristics of collision avoidance behavior of insects. Finally, the collision avoidance algorithm was combined with a goal direction and tested in cluttered environments. The simulated agent then showed goal-directed behavior reminiscent of components of the navigation behavior of insects.